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Several of the invited guests have to depart but it seems the
rest wish to clarify their ideas. Eventually, Garia and Keren leave
to travel north to Dekarran before the other guests follow. Along the
way they remember previous journeys along this important highway.

Somewhere
Else Entirely

by
Penny Lane

136
- Departures and Memories

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this
story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing
copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2011-2015 Penny
Lane. All rights reserved.

The line of rulers and visiting dignitaries took turns to
shake the hands of those leaving. Shabreth came first.

"Thank you, Robanar," he said when he reached his host.
"I regret we must leave so soon but I only expected to attend a
wedding this time. I have discovered, to my amazement, something
almost as important as that cute young woman who will sit the throne
beside your son. I'll be back whenever you have a treaty to sign."

"Thank you, Shabreth, for coming," Robanar
replied. "We are neighbors, after all, and we have many common
interests. I'll be sending a team to Simbek to discuss the semaphore
extension and several other matters of interest. First, though,"
he rolled his eyes, "we have a Confederation to design."

"Aye, brother. I know you will keep me informed of progress."
He leaned forward so that only Robanar could hear his next words. "At
least I won't have to put up with Torulf on the way back. I hope you
can do something for him or he'll get into trouble all by himself."

Robanar grinned. "I have my best team on the project,
Shabreth. We shall not fail you. Are you happy taking his men back?"

"Aye, if they will be removing those two ships of theirs from
my lands as a result. I have your letters to Embrikt and I will add
one of my own, I think. Something tells me we will have more of these
hairy men landing on our shores in future years."

"Indeed, and it is possible there may be trade with them in
the future, if Garia's idea proves to be true."

"Aye? Well, I would rather trade with them than fight them, I
deem. So. I must go, it seems. Luann appears to be getting
impatient."

Robanar looked at Duchess Luann, Mariswin's sister, sitting in the
carriage and felt the presence of his own wife standing next to him.

"I can offer no remedy," he said diplomatically, "other
than for you to join your wife, as is proper. Fare you well,
Shabreth."

"Thank you again, brother. Until the next time, then."

Shabreth descended the steps and entered his carriage. Behind this
stood an empty carriage which had previously brought Torulf and
Vilken to Palarand, and behind that waited sixteen mounted
Einnlanders. With a shout from one of the Duke's men, the procession
moved off towards the gates. Another smaller procession, a single
carriage surrounded by nine riders, pulled up to the steps.

"I must depart as well, Robanar," said Simbran. "I
have a very long way to travel. I regret I cannot stay any
longer, even thought the company is excellent and the conversation
stimulating."

"Ah, for an unexpected arrival we have enjoyed your company,
Simbran. As always, you are welcome to visit again whenever you can
spare the time."

The two men grinned at each other, the opportunities for travel
seemed to be getting rarer all the time.

"Aye, I'll agree to that, Robanar, and of course you will
always be welcome in Faralmark should you travel so far."

Robanar's expression became serious. "Aye. There might be
such need, if we are to administer Yod properly. I will of course
keep in touch by letter, especially concerning the Confederation."

"Good."

Simbran nodded, then clasped Robanar in a warm embrace before
bowing in front of Terys.

"Your Majesty. I will ensure your letters reach Stirmond as
soon as possible. If any of your family pass by I will speak to them
of you and your son and new daughter."

Simbran grinned at her. "I came through the middle of a war
to get here, Highness. My journey home must surely be more peaceful
than that!"

He nodded to Robanar and Terys before stepping down to enter his
carriage. With a shout, the carriage and escort jolted into movement
and headed for the gates. Keren turned to Garia.

"'Tis a pity that some must leave so soon, just when we need
our most agile brains to consider such weighty matters. Do you not
agree?"

"Yes and no, Keren." He surreptitiously poked her in the
thigh. "Ow. I'm making notes of all this abuse, you know! What I
meant was, Simbran has gone but his land is far away and not so
important to us right now. It's a shame that Shabreth has had to go
as he's a neighbor, but on the other hand we are his only neighbor.
It's more important that the others, who all have to live next to
each other, are staying and coming with us to Dekarran."

Keren put his arm around Garia's waist, which immediately made her
feel better.

"I'm sorry, you just use that expression all the time and it
can be infuriating. I do understand what you mean, though.
Some of them are delaying their returns just so we can make this
right."

Garia resisted the strong desire to lean her head on his chest, as
they were still standing in the line of rulers.

"True, but you know we aren't going to get it right the first
time. Even the American Constitution has had to be amended any number
of times over the years, as circumstances have changed."

"As you said last night, Garia. We can but do what is
required of us. Now, shall we go inside? It may be Spring but I would
be warmer."

"As you wish. It won't be long before lunch and there are
some matters to see to before then."

"Then if you would lead the way."

* * *

Garia was in one of the front offices after lunch talking with
Gullbrand when an unexpected visitor arrived.

"Your Highness." Jaxen bowed. "I trust I'm not
interrupting anything important? I thought to pass by and see you
before I left."

"Oh?" Then the intent of Jaxen's remarks caught up with
her. "You're leaving! Are you going back up the pass?"

"I am, Highness, on my way to Moxgo." He looked at the
expression on her face. "No, we are not the first of the
caravans on the southern route this year, Master Tanon has already
dispatched two along the usual trade routes to the south. The caravan
I will lead, if I may call it such a thing, will attempt to discover
the overland route to Einnland."

"Aye, and to discover if there is ought else which Einnland
produces which may be of use to the rest of Alaesia."

"I fear you will not find much of consequence, Master Jaxen,"
Gullbrand observed. "We have entertained traders in the past and
mainly sent them away empty-handed. Einnland is a land of survival,
not of production and trading."

"You'd be surprised, Master Gullbrand," Jaxen replied.
"Until Her Highness mentioned the stuff, we had no idea that
this substance of hers existed in Einnland, or that there was a use
for it. Who knows what else may be growing about your lands, lurking
in your marshes or swimming in your seas, that you once thought of no
account? I am to bring back samples of as much that I can find which
is unusual, that we may test them here and see if they may be of use
to any."

"Test them? What do you mean?"

Jaxen grinned. "I am just the wagonmaster, Master Gullbrand.
The testing, whatever that may entail, will be done by His Majesty's
Questors when I return. I doubt that either of us would understand
what they intend to do." He turned to Garia. "Highness, I
am also taking copies of the King's letters and His Highness Prince
Torulf's letters, against the originals being lost at sea. With so
many Einnlanders remaining in Palarand, Master Tanon wonders if a
regular mail service may be a useful addition to his services."

"It's a thought," Garia replied, "but, remember,
most of those who are staying are here because they would be
considered traitors back home - like Gullbrand here. King Embrikt
might not be pleased if there is regular correspondence between them
and the people who were left behind."

"Actually, Highness," Gullbrand noted, "it may be
worse than that. Most of our people can neither read nor write. Only
those brought up in court or as family members of one of the nobles
are literate in Einnland. Most of those who are now here are learning
to read and write, of course, and that may only serve to aggravate
their status to King Embrikt."

"Ow. I hadn't thought of that." She smiled at Jaxen. "I
think that's going to be a no, then, at least for a few years.
Perhaps if we can get a rubber trade going it may soften Embrikt a
touch."

"As you say, Highness." He paused. "I'm taking the
same crew that found you, Highness, and we intend to do a complete
search of the area where we found you as we pass by. I'm assuming
that if we find anything seeming made by man, they are likely to be
yours and you would want them brought to the palace?"

Garia nodded. "If you wouldn't mind, Jaxen. As I said before,
it is likely to be a bunch of keys and a cellphone - um, that would
be a small black object about so big." She demonstrated with her
fingers. "They've had a year out in the weather so I'm not
expecting much but you might as well bring them back here."

"And you wish us to mark the spot with paint, Highness?"

Garia tried hard to keep her expression from showing her thoughts.
Of course, when she and Jaxen had first discussed this point she
hadn't met the Beings. Now she knew exactly how everything worked
there was little point marking the spot, but she couldn't tell Jaxen
that.

"Yes, please. It was only a long shot anyway but if you're
going to be there, you might as well do it."

"As you desire, Highness." He smiled and bowed. "And
with that, I must take my leave of you."

"You're not going far today, then?"

"Only as far as the Moxgo Junction roadhouse today, Highness.
Tomorrow will be a long climb up to the Lookout and we must needs
make an early start."

"Oh, yes of course. Farewell, then, I hope you all have a
safe journey. Tell the men I'm thinking of them."

"You are as gracious as always, Highness."

Jaxen bowed again and made his way out. Gullbrand looked at Garia
with curiosity.

"You were found in the mountains, Highness?"

"That's right. There's an old Chivan road which goes from
here up and over the mountains to Moxgo. Master Tanon, Merina and
Jaxen were returning to Palarand late last spring when -"

She recounted the first part of her adventure again to an
interested Gullbrand.

"How did you get to that part of the mountains then,
Highness? Can those who brought you fly?"

For someone brought up on sci-fi movies and TV the question was
without meaning but Garia realized that these people had no tradition
of space-travel stories, no idea of what 'other worlds' might mean,
of teleportation or any of the standard transport devices used in
such tales.

"That's kinda complicated, Gullbrand. When I said I came from
another world, that means somewhere that is not part of
Anmar. You can't get from one to the other by flying or any other way
that you can think of. It's just -" she waved her hands in
frustration, "- not a way that anyone can describe. I just
appeared on that mountainside, out of nowhere, if you like."

Gullbrand considered this. "If you say so, Highness. If this
is so, then perhaps my people came to Anmar in the same fashion?"

"That's what we're thinking, yes. But what happened with your
people was that there must have been some kind of storm at sea and
they were sort of shipwrecked, so that when they arrived it was just
as if they'd washed up on an Earth shore. It was only later, when
someone noticed the stars were different, that they realized they
weren't on Earth any more."

Gullbrand nodded thoughtfully. "Ah, I see, Highness. If one
was to come alone, then they must needs be found, is it not so? If
many are to come, together, then it makes sense to give the seeming
of a shipwreck on a coast which none might question directly."

"Yeah. I guess there's probably more to it but I think you
get the idea, Gullbrand."

"As you say, Highness." Gullbrand looked at the repeater
clock over the doorway. "If I may, perhaps we should consider
returning to what we were discussing before the wagonmaster arrived.
We have but three quarters of an hour before the evening meal and you
must needs go prepare yourself soon."

Gullbrand always seemed more comfortable using the 24-hour clock,
since that was the basis they used in Einnland. Garia nodded.

"You're right, we'd better. Now, about those repairs to the
Hotel warehouse -"

* * *

At the meal table, Garia now customarily sat between Robanar and
Keren, facing whoever the King desired to converse with that night.
The seats for the guest of honor changed every meal, as usual, but
Garia was now always seated to Keren's left, just as every wife was
always seated to the left of her husband.

Since the entire day had been occupied with discussions concerning
the new Confederation, whenever they weren't saying farewell to
somebody, other subjects were chosen. This time Garia found herself
justifying the building of the College complex to a skeptical
Bardanar.

"You've seen all the new factories and workshops around the
city, Your Grace," she said. "The people who work there
will have to have a certain level of education in order to be useful
to the system. The colleges are the places where they gain that
education."

"A traditional Guild apprenticeship lasts five, six or seven
years according to trade," Garia told him. "The apprentice
learns only what his master can teach him, so advancement on
knowledge and techniques occurs very slowly over the years. With what
is to come that will be far too slow, Your Grace. We're inventing new
things, having new ideas and learning new things about the world
around us and we need to be able to teach all this quickly to the
people who are going to make use of it all. The Guild method is good
but it is too slow."

"If you say so, Highness."

"I do... let me think of an example, Your Grace. Take the
Glassmaker's Guild. Because of all the new techniques they have
learned the last year they have had to employ as many new people as
were in the whole of the guild before last year. Some of those will
go the traditional guild route, though quicker, and some of the rest
will be taught by metalworkers and masons how to make the new
foundries and glassworks. Those are the ones who will eventually be
college graduates."

"Ah, I begin to understand, Highness."

Robanar grunted. "Something that Garia identified very
quickly after her arrival was that the guilds rarely spoke to one
another, and that few guildsman would consider collaborating with a
Questor. Almost the first invention she provided for us, that of
printing, required four or five guilds to co-operate in the
construction and running of the first print and paper works. That
example made it plain what must needs happen in future, and it was
decided to combine all Palarand's guilds into a single Institute.

"The Questors of Palarand hold the knowledge of our lands and
we have required them to teach of that knowledge to our young people,
that they may spread the knowledge to all. To further their task they
must collaborate with the new Institute in the running and direction
of the colleges."

"A bold move, Robanar. I see it is not just a Confederation
which occupies your thoughts."

"Aye, well, before the war with Yod the reconstruction of
Palarand was our main concern. Garia has played a large part in that
process, giving us examples and warnings from her own world."

"Do you tell me?" Chorvath remarked from further along
the table. "Then I desire to learn more, Robanar. My own lands
will likely require a similar change in years to come. Have we the
time for such talks?"

"As you wish, Robanar. Will Princess Garia be joining us in
Dekarran? I feel sure we will require more of her advice as we talk."

Terys leaned over and said, "Keren and Garia will be going to
Dekarran, Chorvath. In fact, they will be departing before us, on the
morrow, with Duke Gilbanar, who leaves to prepare the castle for the
arrival of so many guests."

Robanar added, "When we travel north, regrettably, we must
needs take so many people that our procession takes more than two
days for the journey. For this occasion we must split our procession
into three, that we may not strain our stopping places along the
highway. Thus Gilbanar will travel first, with Keren and Garia, my
brother to make ready his home for us and my son and his wife so that
the people may see them as they travel."

Chorvath's eyes opened. "I had not considered the effect of
so many of us traveling the roads, Robanar. You plan wisely, I deem."

"Not me! I leave those details to others these days. When I
was newly sat upon Palarand's throne matters were much simpler and we
could ride out with but a few retainers and an escort of twenty. The
last time we traveled north, after last year's rains, our company was
more than two hundred fifty."

Wallesan observed, "Perhaps the new railroad will make your
journeys easier, brother."

Robanar grunted. "In time, Wallesan, in time. For now we must
needs deal with a multitude of nobles and a host of servants and
retainers, not to mention all the beasts required to pull us from
here to the Sirrel."

* * *

"What are you thinking about, my love?"

"Wallesan mentioned railroads. Yes, it will make travel a lot
easier, for us as well as for the general population. I seem to
remember most of the heads of state in Europe had Royal Trains, with
comfortable cars they could eat and sleep in to make their journeys
easier."

"Eat and sleep in a railroad train? Now why did
I not consider that? Of course, there is no reason at all a train
must needs stop for the night, is there?"

"Nope. The train can only go where the rails send it so
trains can run all through the night if that is what is needed. Of
course, you have to take precautions, just in case a tree has fallen
on the track or somebody accidentally left another train in the way."

Keren winced. "That sounds... horrible, my love. Were there
many accidents on Earth on the railroads there?"

"Oh, yes, and lots of people lost lives in the early days.
That's why I was so insistent at the Railroad Commission about making
sure we got the signalling right to prevent much of the problem."
Garia shook her head. "Won't stop trees falling over, though, or
landslides. Nobody can ever think of everything."

"I can only agree, but with your memories we shall provide
for much that your own people could not foresee, I deem." He
shrugged. "As for the rest, only the Maker knows. There are
lessons which only experience can teach, as well you know."

Lanilla entered the sitting room and curtseyed.

"Highness, your bath water is ready."

Garia stood. "Thank you, Lanilla." She turned and gave
Keren a speculative look. "Um, I think I want to try something
different tonight, if you don't mind."

"Highness?" The maid's expression was wary.

Garia's face was flaming. "I think... maybe tonight... if you
didn't mind, I would like to share my bath with my husband."

Lanilla squeaked and reddened. "As you desire, Highness."
She struggled to add, "If I may retire?"

Garia forced a smile. "That was the general idea, yes. We'll
see you as usual in the morning, then."

"As you say, Highness." Lanilla curtseyed again. "I'll
bid you both good night, if I may."

"Good night, Lanilla."

The maid practically ran from the room as Keren looked up at
Garia, a smile on his face.

"Are you corrupting our loyal servants, now? You know what
Lanilla's family life must have been like before she joined you."

"She'll adjust, I think," Garia replied. Her own
expression now held a gleam of excitement. "I'm more interested
in corrupting Palarand's next King."

Keren rose, still smiling. "If you must needs teach us
barbarians how a civilized man and wife should bathe, then I can only
submit to the lessons with interest. Lead on, my love."

~o~O~o~

The next morning Garia was fuming. It had been decided that she
and Keren would join Gilbanar in the first party to head north, so
that they could be seen by the people as they drove through the towns
and villages on their way to South Slip. This seemed a reasonable
arrangement until she learned the fine detail, which was what had
left her cross.

Gilbanar would ride, he had decided, accompanied by his son
Terinar. Behind them came Vivenne and Korizet, also mounted on
frayen, the latter wondering if she had had enough practice for such
a long ride. Third in line came Jenet and Milsy followed by Feteran
and Tarvan; next came Merizel and Bursila and behind them was
the escort of Blackstone armsmen surrounding an open carriage.

Keren and Garia were not riding, which was what had upset
her. Terys had more or less decreed that they should travel in an
open carriage so that the people could see them as they passed by.
This of course had meant a day gown instead of riding gear, lace
gloves and another unsuitable hat. Garia simply hadn't found the time
to raid the wardrobe and find something she liked, which was why she
was grumpy.

Terys had tutted, of course. "My dear, you look wonderful,
and I'm certain that everybody who sees you is going to think so too.
Now, take that look off your face before somebody thinks you have
eaten something unfortunate."

"As you command, Ma'am."

The Queen rolled her eyes. "And to think, when Robanar goes
to the pyre Palarand will be left in your hands."

"Now, mother," Keren chided from his seat beside Garia.
"You know that Garia has been too busy to visit the wardrobe and
find something that she would like to wear. As it happens, I think
she looks beautiful but then," he beamed at his mother, "I
did marry her, didn't I? I do not think, if I had been a girl,
that I would care to wear such a bonnet as Garia does today. It does
not suit her."

Terys regarded Garia a little more closely. "Well, mayhap you
are right, Keren. Garia, tell me, what kind of hats do women -"

The Queen's question was cut off by the blowing of a bugle at the
front of the procession. Hands went up along the line of frayen,
carriages and wagons, then an answering blast came from the rear.

"Ma'am," Garia said quickly, "We'll talk about it
in Dekarran, okay?"

"As you wish, dear. Have a pleasant journey, both of you."

Terys stepped back onto the palace steps as the procession got
under way.

Garia glowered in her seat as the carriage left the palace grounds
and then realized immediately that she would have to change her
attitude. Word of their departure had flashed around the city and the
streets were filled with people waiting to see them as they passed.
So much so, in fact, that the riders ahead frequently became
separated from those behind as the crowd surged to get a good look at
their Prince and new Princess.

"Wow," she managed to say during a momentary quiet
spell. "Have all these people come out just to see us go past?"

"Of course," Keren replied. "I don't expect their
enthusiasm to slacken for a year or two, my love. They are always
pleased to see me, but you are the reason many of them are
busier than they have ever been. You are the one who provided
the weapons that ended the war. You are the beautiful one. It
is you they desire to see."

"Is it always going to be like this from now on?"

Keren thought. "One day, mayhap, they will become accustomed
to us moving among them but then, one day, we will become King and
Queen and it will begin again. I suspect many of your outings in the
future to be of like kind, my love. It is the price we must needs pay
for the status we are given."

"Oh. I should have thought of that, shouldn't I?"

"As you say. I deem that I would prefer this to the
alternative. I would not wish to be a ruler who was unloved by his
people."

"Well, if you put it like that -"

Then the procession turned a corner and the crowds surged forward
again.

At the first, late, comfort stop Gilbanar approached the pair as
they walked back to their carriage.

"I regret, Your Highnesses," he said with a grin, "that
I must put you at the front of our procession, I deem. This morning
we have become separated far too often and Feteran reminds me of his
duty. The people desire to see you, not an overweight old Duke like
me, so you shall go first, with an appropriate escort, of course, and
you shall set our speed. Mind you," he added with a twinkle, "I
will not be happy if we reach our lunch stop too late. This poor body
of mine must be nourished frequently, else I waste away!"

Keren eyed Gilbanar with exasperation, while behind him Vivenne
rolled her eyes.

"Uncle Gil, how can you be overweight and undernourished at
the same time?"

Gilbanar made a grand gesture. "I am a Duke, I can be
anything I desire, young Keren. Just don't keep me away from food too
long, that is all I ask."

Feteran asked, with a straight face, "Does Your Grace suggest
that we should cut our way through the crowds with drawn swords, that
we may reach the lunch stop on time?"

Gilbanar winced. "Feteran, you have been consorting with this
foreign woman far too long, I deem. Just do your best, and preserve
the honor of Palarand!"

They did make better progress after that, but only because the
highway mostly ran through open fields now, past many farms and the
occasional village. As usual, there were numbers of people tending
the fields and most stopped to give a wave and a cheer when they
realized just who was passing, but few lined the roadside so their
procession made reasonable time.

Over the lunch table, Garia reflected on her previous journey
north.

"It's completely different. The last time I came I was in a
closed carriage with Parrel and Gerdas, way behind the King and
Queen, and nobody had any idea who or what I was. I'd never even seen
any of the countryside we're passing through now, nor many of the
strange creatures that live in it. I was just passing through what
was to me a whole new world."

Gilbanar asked, "And are you any better informed now, Garia?"

"Well, of course, but there's still a whole lot out there I
don't know about. Until we can get some expeditions going to explore
Alaesia and the rest of Anmar, there will always be strange and new
things for any of us to discover. Because of my background I might
know a little more than the average Valley dweller but there must be
lots of animals and plants which nobody here has ever seen."

"Is that so? I assumed that most of Alaesia would be similar
to what we see around us."

Gilbanar waved a hand at the scenery beyond the roadhouse
boundary.

"Uncle Gil, you have no idea. Why, even here we have
mountains to the north and south, different kinds of mountains, there
is the Stone Sea to the north and an ocean to the east. I've heard
there are deserts to the west and great plains to the south. Travel
even a few hundred marks away from this spot in any direction and
you'll be somewhere that looks entirely different."

Keren added, "Uncle Gil, we know that Chaarn to the north is
on the coast of a warmer sea, with strange fish and other sea
creatures not seen around here. Tel Botro is in the middle of what is
called jungle, that is, a forest so dense and fertile that one
must needs take a long knife the length of a sword to chop a path
through it. Garia is right, if we but travel away from the Valley we
know the country must needs be of a different kind."

Gilbanar gazed at both of them. "Most people stay within a
few marks of the place where they were born, you know. Only the call
of war, or some other emergency, is enough to urge many away from
familiar surroundings. I admit the odd Questor may travel to hunt new
plants, or perhaps a miner may search distant hills for new ores, but
most do not venture far. On Earth, do they travel more?"

Garia thought. "Uncle Gil, many people probably don't travel
any further than they do around here, I guess. A lot do, though,
either for work or just for leisure. I'm not sure this is something
we ought to be discussing in any great detail at the table, if you
take my meaning."

"As you say, dear. Now, with your permission, perhaps we had
better think about departing."

Garia suddenly realized that by marrying Keren she now outranked
Gilbanar. In fact, only three people now had higher rank, Keren and
his parents. She wondered what other complications this would cause
in the future. Fortunately, this time Keren took charge of the
decision.

On the morning of the following day, Garia enjoyed a pre-breakfast
bathing session with Lanilla, Jenet, Milsy, Bursila, Merizel and
Tandra. It was almost the first time she had been able to bathe with
her friends around her and it relaxed her completely. They spoke of
many inconsequential things and she was in a much better frame of
mind as they joined the others for breakfast.

When they entered the dining area of the roadhouse everybody stood
and bowed or curtseyed, even Gilbanar, which only served to reinforce
her change in rank. She acknowledged them with a wave and along with
Merizel and Milsy joined Gilbanar, Vivenne, Korizet, Terinar and
Keren at their table.

"You really shouldn't have to do that every time I come into
a room, you know. It took me a while to stop the Blackstones doing it
but they get the idea now."

"Hmm? What now, dear?"

"Uncle Gil, I don't want my people standing up if they have
started eating before I get there. I don't want to interrupt their
meals. If I'm already there and they come into the room, then that's
fine, but the other way round doesn't make sense. Nobody knows when
I'm going to get to the dining table and it isn't fair on those who
got there first."

Gilbanar stopped with a hunk of bread and cheese halfway to his
mouth and stared at Garia.

"But that is custom, dear. When entering a room, you should
always be acknowledged by your retainers and servants."

"But Garia is right, father," Terinar said. "Having
lived and worked at Blackstone House I can tell you it is sensible.
We all know who she is without all the bowing and scraping."

"Hmm. I never thought about it before. Are you suggesting a
change in custom, Garia?"

"Uncle Gil, I never thought of it that way. I just thought of
what seemed right for the occasion. Up in Blackstone, if I came into
a roomful of diners, it didn't seem right to make them all stand up
and bow in the middle of their meals, so I stopped it. They
were already in the room, I was the newcomer. It's not the same as at
the palace, where everyone stands around until the King and Queen
arrive."

Gilbanar frowned. "You might have a point, dear. We'll talk
about it when we get home, perhaps." He grinned at her. "My
home, that is."

"As you say, Uncle Gil."

They were walking to the carriage when Braskath joined the party
and bowed.

"Braskath, good morning."

"Good morning, Your Highness, Your Highness."

Lanilla smiled a greeting at him and he returned the smile, but
obviously wouldn't say anything to her in front of Garia and Keren.

Garia asked, "Is there some kind of problem?"

Braskath bowed again. "Highness, I just wanted to know when
you would next be riding Snep."

Garia turned on her heel on the spot and headed for the corral.
Everybody else perforce took in the sudden change of direction and
caught up with her.

"I've been neglecting Snep the last few days, haven't I? I'm
sorry, Braskath, I don't think it is going to be possible this side
of the Sirrel. You've seen all the crowds we're getting along the
road?"

"Aye, Highness, of course. It shows how much you are loved by
the people of Palarand."

"Well, yes, but it means I'm stuck in the carriage so that
everyone can see me. Keren, do you think we will be able to ride once
we leave Dekarran?"

"I don't know, Garia. Remember, there will be just as many
people who desire to see you north of the Sirrel as there are to the
south." Then Keren remembered what was planned to happen once
they departed Dekarran. "Hmm. Perhaps between Dekarran and
Teldor, you may ride, I deem. We must needs plan carefully what we
must do when we leave the castle to travel to Blackstone."

Garia belatedly remembered what he was talking about and her mood
changed again. To stop thinking too much about it she concentrated on
the four-footed member of her circle of friends.

"I didn't think to bring any nibbles. Has anyone got any?"

"Highness, of course I have some."

Braskath dug into a pouch and put several offcuts of vegetable
into Garia's waiting hand. She gave him a smile of thanks.

At the corral wagoneers, armsmen and servants were already
collecting beasts for the next leg of their journey, so there was a
mass of animals milling around the gates. Even so, it took almost no
time at all before Snep noticed Garia standing to one side and pushed
his way through the jostling throng.

"Here, boy," she said, holding out a nibble. "I'm
sorry, it seems I'm too important to be allowed to ride you at the
moment."

Snep regarded her for a moment before carefully taking the
proffered nibble. He crunched it quickly and swallowed it before
raising his head and reaching over the fence. Before anyone realized
what was happening, his lips had rolled back and his teeth clamped
firmly on the brim of Garia's hat. He tugged strongly back and the
hat fell forward, the hatpins dragging through Garia's hair. The
ribbon holding the hat under her chin slid forward and Snep had the
hat out of reach before anyone could react. It was dropped on the
ground and trampled by many feet before anyone could do anything to
save it.

"Hey!"

Snep looked down at the wreckage on the ground and then back to
Garia, his expression one of satisfaction. Merizel collapsed with
uncontrollable giggles.

Keren said with a smile, "It seems you are not the only one
who disliked that hat."

"Hoo!" Merizel gasped, trying to get herself under
control. "I doubt I shall ever see anything as funny as that. I
didn't know Snep appreciated fashion."

Garia smiled ruefully while rubbing her chin. "I don't think
I can blame him for doing something I wanted to do myself," she
said finally. "But how am I going to explain this to the Queen?"

"Oh, that will be simple enough," Keren replied, trying
not to laugh himself. "There is always the possibility for
accidents with attire where beasts are concerned. I doubt not mother
will understand." He added, "Mayhap Aunt Vivenne has some
more suitable headwear in the castle wardrobe. Your hat should not be
difficult to replace."

Garia held out another treat to Snep, who this time regarded her
with suspicion.

"Take it, Snep. You have done me a service and that
definitely deserves a reward."

The frayen leaned forward, sniffed her outstretched hand and then
took the cube of vegetable before turning his head and looking at his
back.

"I'm sorry, boy, I can't ride you today, even if you chewed
off all my clothes so that I had to go change into riding gear.
You'll just have to tag along for a few more days, then we can have a
nice long ride together."

Snep regarded her again before turning his head to Braskath, who
held out a halter.

"Sorry, boy, that's how it has to be. I'll look in on you
tonight, I promise."

Back at the carriage Jenet insisted on tidying Garia's hair with a
brush before allowing her to climb in.

"Do I assume that women do not wear hats on Earth, Highness?"

"That's a difficult question to answer, Jenet. Most ordinary
women don't wear hats any more, although I know that at one time
almost everybody did, men and women. I think it depends on the
occasion. If it was a wedding or a funeral, say, then women would
usually wear something on their heads. There are certain other events
where women would wear fancy hats along with special dresses but
usually those are the people with lots of money. Er, coin. Then
again, on other parts of Earth women hide their hair completely for
religious reasons so it varies over the whole world."

"As you say, Highness. Is this the reason you dislike wearing
hats? That it was not your custom on Earth?"

Conscious that Lanilla was standing nearby and hanging onto every
word she spoke, Garia shaded the truth.

"That's more or less true, Jenet, although we did wear hats
in the summer to keep the sun off our heads. They didn't look
anything like the hats we wear here, though."

Jenet stepped back and regarded Garia. "The sun is not
sufficiently hot today to require something on your head, I think.
You will not provoke any outrage by traveling with a bare head today,
Highness. If you would enter the carriage."

Garia climbed in followed by Lanilla while Jenet went off to find
her own mount. After a certain amount of confusion, inevitable with a
procession of this size, they jolted off onto the highway again. The
morning was a repetition of the previous day, with small crowds from
the surrounding farms and villages waving and cheering as the
procession passed. The morning break came and went, and so did lunch,
and Garia began to look forward to their first sight of the great
castle across the wide expanse of the river.

The landscape became flatter as the highway approached closer to
the banks of the Sirrel. The gaps between farms and villages was
wider now, with much of the available land given over to gavakhan
pasture. For some reason Garia's mood began to become darker as they
progressed, and she noticed a similar change in Lanilla. Keren
noticed, too.

"Is something the matter, Lanilla?"

"Highness, I deem we must approach that place where the
battle happened, is that not right? I have... sad memories of such a
place."

"Oh, of course." Keren stood up in the carriage, keeping
his balance with an outstretched hand, and surveyed the scenery
around them. "Aye, this does become familiar to my eye." He
sat down again and turned to Garia. "You are the same?"

She nodded. "Yes, although I hadn't realized why I felt that
way until you said it, Keren. That was a tough day and we lost
friends there." She was suddenly overcome with emotion. "Keren,
we have to stop when we get there, it wouldn't be right to just drive
past."

"Of course. We must needs pay our respects at so important a
place." He waved an arm and someone in front noticed. In a few
moments Feteran had reined in and come back to ride beside the
carriage.

"Highness, is something amiss?"

"The battle, Fet. Are we near, yet?"

Recognition came to the Commander's eyes and he looked around.

"Aye, Highness. I see the local folk have built a cairn
yonder. Do you wish to stop?"

"It would be seemly to do so, I deem. We all have good and
bad memories of that day."

As the sediments of the Great Valley were mainly deposited by the
Sirrel stones of any size would have been hard to find in this
landscape, especially so close to the river. The local people had still
managed to unearth enough to build a cairn of about man height beside
the highway. A flattened stone leaning against the foot simply had
the date of the battle painted on it: '31 Breth 1174'.

The procession halted by the roadside almost without any
instructions at all. Everybody dismounted or climbed out of their
carriages. Garia put an arm around Lanilla's shoulder, knowing how
hard the girl would find this moment. The two stared over the ditch
at the side of the road.

"She was so full of life," the maid said thoughtfully.
"After we rescued her from her parents, that is."

"She was," Garia agreed. "I often wonder what she
would have been like if she had survived. She would have loved living
in the palace."

"As I do, Highness. I still have trouble believing the change
to my life."

"You and me both, Lanilla. But I remember, you had your own
escape here, didn't you? Trapped under that wagon while who knows
what happened behind you on the road."

"Aye, Highness, and I wish I had not. I mean, I wish I had
been of use to you and His Highness in the battle, as Mistress Jenet
and Lady Merizel were."

"I'm not so sure. It was genuinely frightening. There were
several times I thought we were going to lose but in the heat of
battle you just have to keep going."

Garia felt Keren come up behind them, and the Prince put a hand on
a shoulder of each.

"You mourn Jasinet, I deem?"

"Aye, Highness," Lanilla replied. There was nothing more
to say.

"It is my hope that we shall never have to suffer such a
conflict again," he said after a while. "I doubt that will
be possible, but my eyes have been opened to the pain and distress
all suffered here. My father's ideas, of binding the Valley countries
closer together, may help but there are always other countries
beyond. There will always be other battles but we shall do whatever
is necessary to prevent our people suffering so. Lanilla, do you yet
dream of this battle?"

"I used to, Highness, but it seems to have faded with time."

"I did, sometimes," Garia added, "but my dreams are
more normal now. I think today may revive some of those memories
though. Remember that tonight, Lanilla."

"Aye, Highness, I will."

They stood together in silence, remembering. After a while
Gilbanar came, followed by Vivenne, Terinar, Korizet and Merizel.

"Time and the elements have disguised the signs of battle,"
Gilbanar muttered, "though I deem this place will never be
entirely free of it. You mourn those who you lost?"

"Aye, Uncle Gil. The loss of friends is always hard to bear."

"I know, and these will not be the last in your lives. You
must needs accept that only the Maker knows when we shall come into
this world and when we shall depart again."

That's not entirely true, Garia thought, but his
sentiment is mostly right. Living is just the roll of a dice even
without men trying to kill you.

She turned to Gilbanar. "What about your part in it, Uncle
Gil? What did you see?"

Gilbanar left out a breath of frustration. "I was stuck in
the castle, lass. There were reports by semaphore from across the
river and the lookout on the King's Tower could see things happening
but we were not sure what. If you remember the day was cold and
overcast so the lookouts could not properly see very far in any
detail. Eventually we realized something bad must be happening but
the tide was against us. For two bells we just sat there and waited,
knowing that we could not come across to find out what was going on."

"Mayhap, young Keren. It is our view that someone in Dekarran
made them aware of the tides and the impossibility of any relief
across the river."

The group walked along the roadside, their eyes looking for any
traces of the fierce battle that had been fought there, but there was
none. The winter weather and fresh spring growth had erased it all.

"What of the farmhouse?" Keren pointed. "It seemed
to us they mounted their ambush from there."

"Aye. They slaughtered everyone within when they first
arrived, so it seems." Gilbanar pointed across the fields. "They
did the same in yonder farm, they were too many for one to hide so
many men and beasts."

"They were really desperate to get hold of Garia," Keren
said. "They threw absolutely everything into that raid, even
bringing their own Earth person along to use as a bargaining token."

"Yes, and we killed him anyway," Garia added,
remembering her shock at the death of Yves Perriard.

"If there is one thing I have learned in my long life,"
Gilbanar said, putting a hand on Garia's shoulder, "is that
anything can happen in the chaos of battle. Do not blame yourself for
his death, Garia. You were too busy preventing your own."

Garia sighed. "You're right, Uncle Gil, but that doesn't make
it any better."

"I know, lass. I know."

Eventually they all climbed back on their mounts or into their
carriages. Keren sat facing Garia this time, while she and Lanilla
had arms about each other for comfort. The rest of the journey to
South Slip was conducted mostly in silence.

* * *

As usual, the party was split along gender lines for their
overnight stop. The noble women and their maids all gathered in the
parlor of the women's hostel after their evening meal.

"Garia," Korizet asked, "would you tell us of your
battle? Father gave us a brief account when he returned but we know
little more. I do not think that even Terinar knows what really
happened that day."

Garia shook her head. "Not tonight, I think. I'm sorry, Kor,
but it's a little too soon after riding past the site today. Leave it
until we can all get together in the castle and we can all tell you
what happened. Besides, some of those who are coming tomorrow or the
next day might want to hear the story."

"Oh, of course. I understand, Garia. Tell me, how long do you
plan to stay with us? The last time you went north you stayed two
weeks."

"I'm not sure, Kor. I don't think we can afford more than
three or four days this time. We have made arrangements -" with
the Beings, "- so there's a timetable we have to follow."

"Oh, I understand." Korizet looked disappointed.

Garia brightened. "Of course, last time I went north I
didn't! Not to begin with. I think there should be no problem telling
you how we came here to this very building and then were smuggled
north again, with Milsy taking my place in the royal procession back
to the palace."

It was early in the morning but still spring so the air was cold.
There was a slight mist across the Sirrel which meant that the further
shore was indistinct.

Garia held Keren's hand and didn't want to let it go.

"What?"

Feteran was most apologetic. "Highness, it is now necessary.
Since you have been wed to His Highness these several days, it is not
impossible that you could be with child. If that were to be so, you
must needs travel on a separate ferry to him, that the line of
succession may be preserved."

I'm not pregnant! It's the wrong time of month, for one thing,
and for another, this body has only a week or so to live so it
wouldn't matter if I was. I can't say that, though. Even if Feteran
knows what is going to happen, nobody else does so we have to keep up
appearances.

I just don't want to be separated from him for that long.

Accidents do happen, and the Beings haven't said much at
all about Keren's long-term survival! Only my own. Until I return to Anmar.

"As you wish, Feteran. Who am I with?"

"You are on the second ferry with Her Grace and Lady Korizet,
Highness. With so many so close to the line of succession crossing
today, it will take all day for everyone to travel to the castle."

Of course. We have Keren, Gilbanar, Terinar and theoretically
my child, haven't we? Best if we split up.

"As you say, Feteran. I'm not thinking, am I? Can I wait for
Keren on the other side?"

"If that is your desire, Highness. Of course, you must needs
join him in the carriage for the ride up the ramp to the castle
today."

Garia nodded reluctantly. "I'd hoped I could ride like last time but
you're right, aren't you? Well, then, let's get on with it. Keren,
I'll see you on the other side."

A brief kiss, and they parted to find their different ferries.

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Comments

Going to be a truly sad day for Keren and a few others, especially Garia when it is time for her to leave and return to Earth. I am hoping that her time back on Earth might be a year or more, yet on Keren's world it will only seem like a couple of days or so. Plus I also hope that Garia and Keren will be reunited fast and both will know each other when they see each other again.

Sounds to me like Garia will be swept to her death from the ferry.
Keren will miss her for the time she is away.
I hope the telling of this story is not contemporaneous with Garia' s absence...
That would be a penalty indeed.

Since Garia broached the subject of expeditions to explore the rest of Anmar, I would like to put in another plug for the Sagas of Einnland.

From Garia's conversation, it appears that exploring the planet will become a subject discussed in either the castle or after her "trip". This implies an expedition much sooner than the development of steam powered steel ships. Myself, if I were Garia, I would press for an age of exploration as soon as possible (too many games of Civilization have given me a zeal for rapid exploration).

Using the Einnlanders to explore the planet would have several advantages:

(1) Encourages the Einnlanders to channel their efforts into exploration instead of raiding wealthy communities (now that they know they exist within range of their ships thanks to Torulf's voyage).

(2) Makes the best use of the Einnlander's skills.

(3) if Torulf leads one of the expeditions, it may strengthen his claim to the throne (which is in the best interest of Paraland.

My main motivation in pushing for the Sagas of Einnland is that it would provide another series of stories in the Anmar universe (maybe creating an opening for another author with an interest in Viking Lore) and I think that crossing an unknown ocean in a longship is more exciting ("dangerous", "difficult") than an a steel hulled, steam ship exquiped with "modern" equipment.

She was only a bit player in the story, a glorified spearcarrier, but I liked her none the less. It was enjoyable to see her open up and grow, like a late-blooming flower. Seeing her honest innocence and her thrill as she experienced things she never even dreamed of was a bright spot in a landscape of older and cynical people.

Farewell Jasinet. We only knew you for a short time but we came to love you. (sniff)

I know the voices in my head are imaginary, but they have such awesome ideas!